Relative: Missing NC girl had 'terrible' home life

Oct 12, 2010 9:18:00 AM - thestate.com

Relatives of a missing 10-year-old North Carolina girl whose bone cancer left her with a prosthetic leg and hearing aids described the child's life as miserable, saying she was locked in her room for most of the day and was punished over little things.

Zahra Clare Baker was reported missing Saturday, but police said they have had trouble finding anyone outside the household who had seen the girl alive in the last few weeks. Authorities also cast doubt on what the couple had told them.

"I just think this was something for a long time that we knew was going to happen, everybody that was close to the family," relative Brittany Bentley said on CBS' "Early Show" on Tuesday.

Zahra's father, Adam Baker, has said it was possible his wife could be involved in the disappearance and other relatives echoed those remarks.

Zahra was reported missing after a yard fire at the home. The girl's stepmother, Elisa Baker, was arrested Sunday on about a dozen charges unrelated to her disappearance. It's unclear whether she has an attorney.